British Colonial Seating
BRITISH COLONIAL STYLE
Typically made of mahogany, teak or bamboo and featuring a range of fabrics and prints with botanical patterns, antique British Colonial furniture and decor varies as it involved local materials and techniques and spanned centuries of design styles.
As the British Empire expanded from the 16th to the 20th century, its conquest and control of colonies around the world bolstered its wealth through the extraction of resources. Including colonies in the Americas, Africa, Asia and Australasia, this spread of often violent subjugation imposed British culture, language and faith on Indigenous peoples. The design of homes was included in this expression of imperial power, with government officials, merchants and military officers creating homes mimicking the luxuries they were used to in England.
Local artisans were commissioned to replicate British designs, resulting in versions of Regency, Chippendale, Sheraton and other styles of furniture being crafted from mahogany, rosewood, ebony and teakwood as opposed to beech and oak, which were more common in Europe. Whereas the colonial furniture for the Portuguese and Dutch regularly had motifs of indigenous flora and fauna, the British tended to want more exact reproductions of their home country’s designs.
To escape the summer heat in places such as India and the Caribbean, British colonizers relocated to airy houses in the hills or plantations, leading to foldable chairs and collapsible desks in the style of military campaign furniture. Rather than upholstery as they might have in Europe, chairs and sofas in the British Colonial style had rattan and cane seating for these higher temperature climates. The contrast between the light textiles and the dark colors of the sturdy furniture became a defining aesthetic of British Colonial interiors.
Find a collection of antique British Colonial outdoor furniture, seating, bedroom furniture, decorative objects and other items on 1stDibs.
to
12
72
14
82
6
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
61
28
3
8
3
7
3
7
3
4
3
4
40,183
21,065
8,501
3,981
1,670
1,443
1,207
1,116
978
916
904
844
732
648
475
472
329
265
16
66
6
17
21
14
1
1
1
2
1
3
1
3
2
1
58
40
25
22
18
25
22
20
19
18
88
85
85
2
2
2
2
2
Style: British Colonial
British Colonial Style Bamboo Recliner Chair with Ottoman
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Mid century recliner chair crafted in bamboo and bent bamboo with caned seating featuring a pull out ottoman and Morris style reclini...
Category
Mid-20th Century Philippine British Colonial Seating
Materials
Bamboo
Antique White Washed Teak Settee or Bench with Slatted Back
Located in Sheffield, MA
Colonial influenced antique hand-carved rustic country daybed or bench made from natural aged teak, deep enough for sleeping or relaxing. Suitable for indoor or outdoor use. Great in the garden, on a porch or patio. The rustic antique teakwood bench...
Category
Early 20th Century Asian British Colonial Seating
Materials
Teak
Danish child chair 1930s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Tiny child chair in stained pine. With the right amount of patina.
Category
1930s Danish Vintage British Colonial Seating
Materials
Pine
British Colonial Solid Cherry Wood Dining Chairs, Pair
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful pair of British Colonial, Early American, or Victorian style dining chairs
USA, Circa Late 20th Century
Measures: 21.25"W x...
Category
Late 20th Century American British Colonial Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Cherry
Carolina Bamboo & Cane Bench
Located in Bellport, NY
The Carolina Bench beautifully hand crafted in Spain of bamboo and cane. The seat is covered in a sunbrella natural tone fabric. The bottom level is gre...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish British Colonial Seating
Materials
Linen, Bamboo, Cane
Ensemble de salon en bois sculpté – Circa 1880
Located in NEUILLY-SUR-SEINE, FR
Ensemble de salon en bois sculpté – Circa 1880
Superbe ensemble de mobilier de salon en bois patiné, finement sculpté de masques grotesques, comprenant :
Un canapé
Une paire de fau...
Category
1880s Antique British Colonial Seating
Materials
Wood
Wicker Armchairs from the FS Flores Collection, Priced Individually
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of mid century inspired armchairs crafted in wicker or reed ambitiously woven over a sturdy metal frame. One of many new designs from the FS Flores Collection...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican British Colonial Seating
Materials
Reed
19th Century Jamaican Campeche / Planter Chair
Located in Charleston, SC
This elegant British Colonial 1810-1830 Campeche chair is made of solid mahogany and was known in Jamaica as a Spanish chair in the period. This West Indies Planter chair...
Category
Early 19th Century Jamaican Antique British Colonial Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Wicker Armchairs from the FS Flores Collection, Priced Individually
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British Colonial armchairs crafted with a sturdy metal frame ambitiously wrapped in reed with comfort and classic form set on turned wood feet. Exclusively designed and offered by F.S. Henemader Antiques from the FS Flores collection...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican British Colonial Seating
Materials
Wicker
Rupert Bevan Croft Dining Chair (in customer's own choice of material/leather)
By Rupert Bevan
Located in London, GB
Our signature Croft Dining Chair sits comfortably in both traditional and contemporary settings, with its generous seat and elegant backrest. Legs and frame in solid oak with a light...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British British Colonial Seating
Materials
Leather, Upholstery, Oak
Luxurious 2.5-seater sheep leather sofa with fabric cushions in English style
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This fantastic sheep leather 2.5-seater sofa exudes luxury and offers amazing seating comfort. The sofa comes with original loose seat and decorative cushions. The detachable armrest...
Category
20th Century British Colonial Seating
Materials
Leather, Textile
Antique plantation chair with handwoven cane and fold out footrests, circa 1920S
Located in Houston, TX
Antique plantation chair with handwoven cane and fold out footrests, circa 1920s(30s?). This reclining lounge chair has an adjustable rattan backrest thats secured with solid port pe...
Category
Mid-20th Century European British Colonial Seating
Materials
Teak
Victoria Chair with Tassel Foot, Susanne Hollis Collection
Located in San Marino, CA
Our Victoria chair with tassel foot detailing in our ebonized finish with a light distress, inspired by an original Swedish 1930s Art Deco pair we f...
Category
2010s American British Colonial Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage Boho Presidential Stuck Rattan Lounge Chairs After Palecek - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Make a definitive statement with this exceptional pair of "Presidential" style lounge chairs. Crafted in the manner of renowned designer Palecek, these chairs showcase a bold, archit...
Category
Late 20th Century Philippine British Colonial Seating
Materials
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
20th Century Nichols & Stone National Cathedral Ebonized and Gilt Windsor Chair
Located in Germantown, MD
A late 20th Century Nichols & Stone National Cathedral School Ebonized and Gilt Windsor Chair in excellent vintage condition.
Measures 16.5" in width, 18" in depth, 33" in height wit...
Category
Late 20th Century American British Colonial Seating
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
$671 Sale Price
25% Off
Original Walnut Wing Chair, circa 1900
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Original walnut wing chair, circa 1900.
Armchair reupholstered and refinished a short time ago,
small stains on the fabric.
Category
Early 20th Century English British Colonial Seating
Materials
Walnut
Armchair English Leather from, 19th Century Mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
English club armchair, leather first half of the 20th century. Vintage.
Solid mahogany club chair, English. Classic upholstery which was upholstered with leather. Armrest partly a...
Category
20th Century English British Colonial Seating
Materials
Mahogany
English Country Mahogany Ladderback Roundabout Corner Arm Chair Seat
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid to early 20th century English Country roundabout corner armchair. Made of mahogany featuring rounded form with ladderback supports over turned posts and supports, vinyl seat and ...
Category
Early 20th Century British Colonial Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Mahogany
$704 Sale Price
20% Off
Victorian Military Campaign Folding Faux Bamboo Embroidered Safari Cane Chair
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A delicate slice of Victorian Military Campaign. A folding Chair of Faux Bamboo, with an Embroidered Canvas Seat Rear Finished With Brown Leather Sl...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Antique British Colonial Seating
Materials
Brass
Lovely Painted Wicker Peacock Chair
Located in Swadlincote, GB
A very pretty and excellent quality wicker peacock chair, very intricate work and in excellent overall condition.
44" high
28.5" wide
28" overall depth
18" seat height
You are welc...
Category
20th Century English British Colonial Seating
Materials
Wicker
Mid-20th Century Restored Rattan Settee With Built-in Side Table and New Custom
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
A rare and sculptural Mid-20th Century rattan settee featuring a Chippendale back design, gracefully arched supports, and integrated side table with original smoked glass top. The fr...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown British Colonial Seating
Materials
Leather, Upholstery, Rattan, Smoked Glass
Antique British Colonial Teak and Rattan Hall Elbow Chair, C. 1900
Located in London, GB
Antique British Colonial Teak and Rattan Hall Elbow Chair, C. 1900
Good solid construction with historic repairs (please refer to photos).
Please message for a specific destination...
Category
Early 1900s Indian Antique British Colonial Seating
Materials
Rattan, Teak
Antique Colonial Stencil Back Black Painted Plank Bottom Rocker Rocking Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Colonial Stencil Back Black Painted Plank Bottom Rocker Rocking Chair. Circa 19th Century. Measurements: 40" H x 20.5" W x 24.5" D x 15" Seat height.
Category
19th Century Antique British Colonial Seating
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century Hand Carved Antique Wooden Oak Chair
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Art Nouveau Spiral Spindle Antique Chair.
Made from walnut, American-made from the 1930's. Hand-carved.
Purchased at an antique store in New Orleans.
Category
1930s British Vintage British Colonial Seating
Materials
Oak
Vintage British Colonial Plantation Ladder Back Rush Armchairs Pair
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Beautiful pair of British Colonial plantation armchairs with tall ladder back and natural woven Rush seating, Circa 1960's. Oak or Mohogany.
Except...
Category
1960s British Vintage British Colonial Seating
Materials
Rush, Oak
Pair Brighton Pavillon Style Burnt Bamboo & Cane Chairs Early 20Th C
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Just in this A pair of late early 20th century bamboo open armchairs in the Brighton Pavilion Taste each with an inserted black and gold lacquered figurative panel.
The seats are wit...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown British Colonial Seating
Materials
Bamboo, Cane, Lacquer
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Rosewood Side or Office Chairs with Upholstered Seat
Located in Nantucket, MA
Pair of Mid-Century Modern solid rosewood side or office chairs with a slightly curved back for lumbar support. Slightly tapered leg. The seat can be easily removed if you wanted to ...
Category
Mid-20th Century British British Colonial Seating
Materials
Upholstery
Italian antique colonial bamboo wood and damask fabric chair, 1910s
Located in MIlano, IT
Colonial chair with wooden structure with round section slats and bamboo covering, padded seat and backrest covered in their original damask fabric.
1910 ca.
Good general condition.
...
Category
1910s Italian Vintage British Colonial Seating
Materials
Fabric, Bamboo, Wood
British Colonial seating for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique British Colonial seating for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage seating created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, building and garden elements, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, natural fiber and other materials. If you’re shopping for used British Colonial seating made in a specific country, there are Europe, United Kingdom, and Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original seating, popular names associated with this style include Andrianna Shamaris, Baker Furniture Company, Dr. Pascaud, and English School. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for seating differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $300 and tops out at $52,000 while the average work can sell for $3,694.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Italy White Cane Chairs
Ming Dynasty Chair
High Back Wrought Iron Chair
Hollywood Regency Brass Vanity
Leopard Art Deco
Italian Swan Chair
Italian Metal Garden Chair
Limbert Antique Furniture
Kelly Green Furniture
Modern Low Chair Gropius
Ico Parisi Signed
Japanese Tatami
Jesper Teak Furniture
Jesper Teak
Hermes Leather Frame
Jonathan Sainsbury
Mexican Rattan
Horseshoe Bar